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Volvo 70 Build Log

Hi all,

I am starting a build of a Volvo 70 yacht, so i thought i might start a build log. The project is planned to incorporate many features that are true to the real boats and new/unique to rc sailing. Some of the features I plan to incorporate are:

1. Canting Keel
2. Spinnaker/Gennaker
3. Moving Daggerboards (doubt this will make the final cut)

I have attached some of the photos of the build so far.

please note that this project is not designed to be true to scale, but more of an enjoyment of experiment of can it be done. So therefore a miss mash of parts will be used. A couple of details about the build so far. The hull will be based on the 2006-2007 race boat ABN AMRO TWO. Throughout the race it achieved the longest distance travelled in a 24hr period, which has since been surpassed by Groupama (now called Giacomo). I have purchased rather than build the appendages such as, keel, centreboard/daggerboard and rudders from german website stockmaritime.

Also don't while trying to do one project decide to play around with your old boat. Delays everything getting done on the new project.

just a quick update. Finally managed to getting around to fixing the frames to the building board. Most are done, with the balsa frames of 1, 2 and the transom to go on. just need to find a way for them to be attached so they can then be removed from the building board.

hopefully this project will start moving along a bit quicker now. hopefully.

Following on from the previous post. I have mounted the first 2 frames, and have nailed them to the MDF frame under neath. I also found I couldn't mount the transom for 2 reasons, first, in the lying around for 6 months or so, the transom warped and wasn't square, not helpful on a vertical transom. so i will remake the transom out of thicker balsa to hopefully ensure a straight and square transom. secondly the MDF frame for the transom was too high for my alignment points so will cut that down and hopefully remount over the weekend. I test fitted the gunnels to the frames as well, seem to all fit in, eventually.

heres some pics showing what i have described.

also included a picture in front of my car. all the time i have thought about this project, i had a tape measure out and thinking ah yeah this will be cool. now it has some physical presence to it makes it seem like a oh boy this is getting big.

I am planning to sheet the hull instead of the more conventional planking method so I can laminate 2 layers more effectively, but in trial placements of sheets there seems to be too much twisting stress on the sheets to gain the desired shape. Should I plank instead of sheet, or just persevere?

Small update too, frames are all in with a new thicker transom, and a keel structure currently setting with 2 part epoxy glue.

I have been working away over the past couple of days and have managed to have the keel and gunnels glued. I have also fitted and glued sheets where the hull has a chine. I wanted to keep this element as it was a pivotal part to me choosing this design.

I have also made some changes to my original plans. i will now be planking the hull instead of sheeting, i will still laminate it to around 2mm. I also couldn't accurately determine the angle for which the rudders are to the centreline, so I researched the rules for the full size boats. From this my interpretation is that the rudders can be angled 30 deg from vertical. From the last generation of designs it seemed the optimal angle was in fact about 15 deg from vertical. Maybe my interpretation is wrong. So now my rudders will be at approximately 15 deg from vertical.

If anyone was wondering, yes the thread is still going and yes the build is still going.

I have now completely planked the hull. I have also shaped the bow piece ($160 and a dremel later). i have decided against creating a balsa laminate before I glass the hull. Some sanding has started, I feel this is going to be a long process to a) fair the hull and b) get rid of the glue spillages.

Progress on the project is has been slow of late due to starting a new job, but finding time here and there to continue on with the project I started.

I have also been thinking about the design of my canting keel mechanism. My current plan is to cut some aluminium tubing to go over the top of the keel and then have another in the hull and pack the mechanism full of grease, to keep the water out. Will be sure to post some design drawings up before I construct this critical component.